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Creativity is no more just a buzzword. It is just what makes the
world go. Think of all the creativity that gave rise to
inventions. From using a blade to landing on the moon have all
been made possible because of the wonderful ability -
creativity. It is looking at a concept/idea/perception in an
entirely new dimension.
We are categorized as 'Right' brained when we display a good
range of creativity. The right brain qualities involve
imagination, risk taking, creativity, artistic abilities, highly
philosophical orientation, etc. Creative people display certain
common traits. They display the profile of risk takers,
rebellious, absent-minded, humorous, extremely focused,
preoccupied, determined, and so on.
As different from artistic creativity, which is an inborn flair
for imaginative self-expression, technical creativity addresses
the issues confronting our daily lives. We could approach a
problem or a situation in a totally different way to discover
new solutions to tackling it.
Although creativity is an essential trait that every human being
is endowed with, we scarcely exploit this innate ability in us.
We can tap into our creative skills by using 'programmed
thinking' methods such as Attribute Listing, Morphological
Analysis and Reframing Matrix, to finding solutions. These
methods involve unique mixing of properties, components and
elements to ultimately explore the practical viability of such
combinations.
The other well-known method is employing 'lateral thinking'
methods as Brainstorming, Random Input and Provocation. It is
consciously breaking free from the familiar thinking patterns to
allow new ways of perceiving things. Random Input can serve as a
starting point when you get stuck. It is using concrete nouns
from unrelated fields for connecting one thinking pattern to
another.
Provocation deliberately uses illogical, crazy and wild ideas
for generating ideas. The basic aspect of lateral thinking is
suspending judgment and criticism to give ideas and concepts a
free rein. Employing all these different methods can greatly
improve your creative skills.
A simple and an effective technique, which greatly facilitates
the full use of all the creative method is Mind Map. Be it
Attribute Listing or Morphological Analysis or Reframing Matrix,
Mind Maps are an immensely useful tool for exploring these
methods. Since Mind Mapping technique uses non-linear method, it
serves as an elementary tool for creativity, turning the entire
process into a simple and highly effective procedure.
As the essence of Mind Mapping is to allow a free and full flow
of thoughts and associations, the method in itself stimulates
creativity, by bringing all our sub conscious thoughts to the
fore. It digs deep into our dormant thoughts and brings them to
the surface through use of associations and related links. By
including colors, pictures, dimensions, symbols, etc., it taps
into the unconscious mind using the language of symbols,
pictures, etc.
Mind Mapping indeed is the shortest route to enhancing your
creative abilities. Using them constantly and applying them
under a variety of situations will help in enhancing your
creative thinking capabilities.
About the author:
Dr. Vj Mariaraj is a Mind Map enthusiast and has been using Mind
Maps for the past twelve years. He has created over 5650 Mind
Maps. To learn more about mind mapping send an email to
freemindmap@aweber.com . He is the founder of
BusinessBookMindMap.com that creates Mind Map Summaries of
Businees Books. To learn more visit
http://BusinessBookMindMap.com/mind-map.php?go=4
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